A potentially deadly arms deal has been thwarted as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command intercepted a dismissed immigration officer attempting to sell sophisticated firearms to bandits operating in the Abuja-Kaduna forest. Hobnob News reports on the successful operation and the recovery of dangerous weapons.
The dismissed officer, whose identity has not been released, was apprehended following an intelligence-led operation by the police. Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Mustafa Mohammed, revealed that the interception prevented the weapons from falling into the hands of criminal elements who could have used them to wreak havoc.
“Acting on intelligence, the command intercepted these guns from a dismissed immigration officer attempting to sell them to bandits terrorising the Abuja-Kaduna forest,” Mohammed stated. “The intelligence was received in time, and the arms were intercepted while he was trying to make the delivery.”
Among the recovered weapons was a Scorpion CZ EVO3, a highly advanced, fully automatic firearm with an inbuilt silencer. “This is the latest model, the 2022 version of the Scorpion series. It can be used in single, automatic, or burst mode. It is a highly sophisticated weapon, and its magazine can hold between 20 and 30 rounds, depending on the configuration,” Mohammed explained. The police also recovered 52 rounds of ammunition.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, provided an overview of the command’s recent operations, revealing that 300 suspects were arrested between January 1 and February 28, 2025. “In its sustained effort to rid the Federal Capital Territory of crime and criminal elements, the FCT Police Command has intensified its operations, carrying out a series of high-impact raids,” Disu stated.
The operations resulted in the arrest of 59 armed robbers, 10 kidnappers and informants, and 16 cultists. Nine armed robbers and seven kidnappers were neutralized. “Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the safety of residents, the command deployed specialised tactical teams to raid identified criminal hideouts and black spots across the FCT,” Disu added.
The police conducted targeted raids and clearance operations in high-risk areas, including Dei-Dei, Karu, Gwarinpa, Jikwoyi, Karimo, and Maitama. Abandoned buildings, often used as criminal hideouts, will also be subject to continuous monitoring and raids. Hobnob News will continue to track the efforts of the FCT Police Command in combating crime.
